World Cup Wanderers: Mexico 1970

Ahead of this summer's competition in Russia, bwfc.co.uk gets in the mood by reviewing all former editions of the biggest tournament in football and the World Cup Wanderers who were in action!

With two weeks to go until the start of the 2018 World Cup, our preview series continues as we look back to one of our own and Mexico 1970.

FRANCIS LEEEnglandAppearances:3Goals:0Stage reached:Quarter-finals

Bolton born and bred, Francis Lee was Wanderers' only representative at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico as reigning world champions England looked to defend their crown.

The forward started his career with the Whites before joining Manchester City in a club-record deal in 1967, with his Three Lions international debut coming a year later in December 1968 at the age of 24.

Off the mark for his country in his second England appearance, a 5-0 victory over France, Lee added further goals against Northern Ireland and Wales in the Three Lions' British Home Championships victory in 1969 to cement his starting place heading into the following year's World Cup.

Having scored in England's final warm-up friendly against Ecuador, Lee started the Three Lions' opening two games of the tournament.

Geoff Hurst's solitary strike earned a 1-0 victory over Romania as Alf Ramsey's side got off to a winning start before Jairzinho scored the only goal in a defeat to Brazil by the same scoreline, made famous by Gordon Banks' save from a Pele downward header.

With their progress to the knockout stages already guaranteed before their final group outing against Czechoslovakia, Lee was left unused as England claimed another 1-0 win, this time thanks to Allan Clarke's penalty, despite making a number of changes for the tie.

Drawn against West Germany in the quarter-finals in what was a rematch of the 1966 World Cup Final, Lee was restored the starting line-up alongside Hurst for the game while Peter Bonetti replaced the ill Banks in goal.

Goals either side of half-time from Alan Mullery and Martin Peters saw England take convincing lead only for Bonetti to a let a tame Franz Beckenbauer effort sneak in under his body.

Uwe Seeler equalised with a looping header to force extra-time, before Gerd Muller completed the comeback to knock England out as West Germany avenged their World Cup Final defeat of four years earlier.

Having failed to score during the tournament, Lee was back amongst the goals in his next three international appearances against East Germany, Greece and Malta as he remained first-choice throughout 1971 before scoring in his final England appearance against West Germany at Wembley in April 1972.